Power transmission.



PATENTED APR. 28, 1907 W, B. BELT POWER TRANSMISSION APPLICATION FILED JULY 2g, was.

3 SBEET3-SHBET 1.

PATBNTED APR. 23, W07.

W. E BELT. PGWER TRAEQMISSION.

APPLIQATIBH rum JULY 23 1906 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 PATENTBD APR. 23, 1907.

W; B. BELT. POWER TRANSMISSION. APPLIEIATION FILED JULY 23, 1906.

3 SHBBTSSHBET 3.

1%12966 e3: Inventor: m

Zia/a 836 t v V I a V I? f r)? WALLACE E. BELT, or DODGE CENTER. invNnso'rA.

POWER TRANSMISSION Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April. 28, 1907.

Application filed July 23,1906. Serial No. 327,265.

Toall whom. it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, \(VALLACE E. BEL'r, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Dodge Center; in the county of Dodge and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and useful 1m rovcment in Power Transmission, of which t e following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of power transmission which is adapted for use on automobiles and other vehicles.

The object of my invention is to provide simple and effective mechanism for diffen entiating motion between driving and driven elements, which is positive'in action and equally eifective when the direction of the motion between said elements is reversed and further to provide means by which said motion may heretarded when desired.

In the accompanying drawings forming art of this specification mylinvention is illustrated as applied to a motor vehicle in which by its use a single part axle or shaft may be employed.

It is obvious that this invention may be ap lied to other uses than to self propelled ve icles and I do not wish to he understood as confining myself to this use alone.

in the drawin s Figure 1 is a lon itudinal central section 0 my invention Fig. 2 is a transverse section of he same on the line X X of'Fig. 1.. Fig. 3 is an enlarged transversesection on the line Y Y of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail view in cross section of a modified form of part of my invention. Figs. 5 and 6 are similar vievs of other modified forms of the improvement, and Fig. 7 is a plan view showing my invention applied to the running gear of an automobile.

.hrepresents the axle or drive shaft of a self propelled vehicle to which the power is sup lied from the nu -)r to the wheels, said she t being mounted 1 a roller hearings such as illustrated by the parts B in Fig. l which run inthc enlarged crds of the casing 3 surrounding said shaft. Upon the power shaft is loosely journaled at each end a wheel C nod carried by the hub D of said wheel is my improved power transmitting mechanism E which is clearly illustrated in detail by the enlarged views of the drawings.

To the inner end of the hub or other part to be driven is fastened by means of bolts 4 a drum 5 which is provided with an inner ey lindrical friction surface 6 on its flange which is concentric with the drive shaft. On the 1 shaft is fastened bv the use of a he 7 or other means a pinion 8 having teet 9 in mesh with corresponding teeth 10 formed on the inner ends of friction clutch levers 11. Each of the friction clutch levers, (four in number living slunm although any suitable number may he provided) is mounted to swing on a pivot 12 which is carried by a cage 13. This cage has a pair of rings 14 and 15 which are loosely mounted on the shaft and between which the pinion and clutch isvers are carried. The pivots 12 are in the form of bolts passing through said rings one end of each holt hein threaded and riveted or otherwise fastened at 16 over the ring 14 and the other end passing throu h the ring 15 and provided with a nut 17 and key 18 by which it is secured in place.

Each of the levers 11 has cam surfaces 19 and 20 extending in opposite directions and ada ted to he moved m frictional contact wit the friction surface 6 of the drum. Normally and when'the shaft is.at a standstill then the levers are in inactive position as illustrated in Fig. 2, that is the cam surfaces 19 and 20 are out of frictional contact with the rim of the drum. When the shaft is turned in the direction of the arrows F, see Fig. 2, then a simultaneous swinging motion is given to the levers in the direction of the arrovs G so that the cam surfaces 20 of the 7 several friction clutch lovers are rnoved in frictional contact with the inner surfaces of the drum to carry the latter along and thus drive the wheel from the shaft and in the same direction as the latter. When the motion of the axle is reversed. that is, is driven in an inverse direction to the arrows then a reverse swinging motion is given to the frivtion clutch levers, that isthb lattcr'nre swung in an inverse direrliun to the arrow G to cause the cam surlscos 19 to move in friclional engagement with the inner surface of the rim of the drinn .to rotate tlu latter and consi-qucnllv the wheel with the shaft and in the same dircrrion that is, in an inverse d irec lion to the arrows F.

From theforcgoing it will be seen that the power of the shaft A is almost instantly transmitted to the wheel to be driven and in the same direction in which said shaft is rctated.

\Vhen the most obtuse angle of the notch in thepinion comes in parallel contact with the flat surface of a tooth at the time when the opposite friction surface engages with the drum, a broad surface contact between the teeth is produced which causes the parts to firmly engage each other.

\Vhen the )ower transmission as described is empfoyed on automobiles and as long as the vehicle moves in a straight line, either forward or backward both drive. wheels turn together, but in case the vehicle travels around a curve then the outer wheel releases from the friction levers so that the vehicle readily and easily moves forward. As soon as the vehicle again shifts to a straight. course the released friction levers are moved immediately bark into a locking or active position. There are conditions under which the levers are inactive, to wit: When for any reason both rear carriage wheels are revolving faster than the shaft, such as when going down hill with reduced power, and on the level when suddenly withdrawing the power.

The hub D of-the wheel to be driven is provided with a roller bearing '21 and between said bearing and the cage 13 is a thrust hearing 22 and a drip late 23, the latter abutting a ainst a shoul er 24 on the drive shaft.

he ring 15 is provided with a circular shoulder 51, the outer end of which has spleens 25.

Between the cage 13 and the end of the casing 3 is another thrust.bearing 26, one of the wear plates 27 of which is of suliicient diameter to im inge against the enlar ed end 2.

Grooved at clutch member 29 and between this clutch member and the ring 15 is an expansion helical saring 3O coiled around the shoulder 24, whic presses against the cage, and the clutch member to prevent said cage rotating with the shaft until the clutch levers have engaged the drum. The clutch member 29 adjoins the clutch engaging member 31, the latter being fastened to the drum by means of bolts 32. The friction between the clutch member 29and the support 34 (to be here; inafter described) causes the cage .not to re volve when starting.

' When the. shaft A is at rest or revolving slower than the wheel and the brake is set, the connection through the clutch member 29, spleens 25, collar 24, cage 13, clutch levers and )iuion 8 tends to retard the movement of t. ie drum and the wheel with which it is connected.

Impingin against the end of the shoulder 33 on the cliitch member 29 is a supporting ring 34 which is feathered at 35 upon the enlarged end 2 of the casing 3. This supporting ring is adjusted to vary the friction between the clutch member 29 and the support 34, and limits the movement of the clutch member 29 (caused by the spring 30) by means of lock nuts 36 on said enlarged end 2. The supporting rin carries a yoke 37 which is pivoted to its Sl( es 38 by means of bolts 39. In effect this yoke. is a lever,

28 to admit the sp eens 25 is athe work ends of its arm's carrying anti friction rollers 40 which are adapted to impinge against the face of'the clutch member 29 to set it, and its work end or arm 41 being attached to the shift rod 4'). This rod 42 works freely through a guide 43 which is fastened on the casing 3 by a set bolt H and is provided with an expansion spring 45 which returns the lever to normal position as shown in Fig. 1 when the clutch member 29 is out of operation. It is understood that by turning one of the locknuts 36 any desired tension may be given to the spring 30 and by turning the other one, the nuts are interlocked on the casing.

Various connections may be made between the inion 8 and the friction clutch levers H, or instance as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 and I do not limit myself to any particular construction of the connection between said pinion and levers. The cam sur faces 19 as indicated in F i 1 may be straight or V shaped as illustrater in Fig. 6, it being understood that in the latter case the inner surface of the rim of the drum is correspondingly shaped to insure proper frictional contact between the cam surfaces 19 and 20, and the inner surface of the rim of the drumII.

In. operation whenthe clutch member 29 is set, the levers 11 are locked to the drum which enables the a plication of the main braking power of tl e vehicle to be communicated directly with the wheels. A power transmission is employed on each rear drive wheel 46 as shown in Fig. 7 and as long as the vehicle moves in a straight line either forward or backward, both drive wheels turn together. In case the vehicle turns around a curve the friction levers ll of the power transmission for the outer drive wheel become released, whilethe friction levers 11 of the power transmission for the inner drive wheel remain locked on in active position, so that the vehicle readily and easily passes around the curve. As soon as the vehicle again reaches a straight course, the friction levers are moved immediately back into a lockin or active position. When for any reason )otih rear carriage wheels are revolving faster than the shaft as in going down hill with reduced power, and also on the level when suddenly withdrawing the power, such as by depressing the traitsmission lever, the brakes on the transmission mechanism of both wheels may be set by means of the lever 47 which is connected by the cables 43 to the shift rods 42. These cables travel over guide pulleys 49 on the frame of the machine and have interposed therein a draw spring 50, the tendency of which is to give after the springs 45 have been depressed and the brakes set by the forward movement of the lever 47. A gradual engagement between the parts is produced by brin ing the brake into active position.

remove and access'to the power transmission thus had. As the power transmissions for both drive wheels of the vehicles are driven from the same source (the shaft A as shown) it is evident that neither drive wheel can spin around while the other is at a stand still and the vehicle cannot skid either in starting or when turning corners, nor is the vehicle liable to travel a zigzag course on a slippery roadway.

In accordance with the patent statutes I have described the principle of operation of my invention together with thc apparatus which 1 now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those for drivingautomobilsi I V V J Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire-to protect by Letters Patent isz 1. In combination with the hub of a wheel to be driven provided with a friction surface, a drive shaft, and a system of friction clutch levers each provided with double cam surfaces and means for causing them to automatically impinge against said friction surface and transmit motion from said shaft and for holding the clutch levers inoperative when the driven element rotates at a greater, speed than the driving element.

2. A power transmission, comprising in combination with the hub of a wheel to he driven, a friction drum on said hub, a drive shaft, a suitable cage, a pinion on said shaft, a plurality of clutch levers fuicrumcd on said cage and in mesh with said pinion, each of said levers provided with double cams ad apled to impinge against the friction surface of said drum when said shaft. revolves in either direction, and means for retarding the move ment of said cage.

A power transmission, comprising in combination with the hub of a wheel to be driven, a friction drum on said hub, a drive shaft, on which said hub is freely'journaled, a suitable cage, a pinion on said shaft, a plurality of double cams adjoining the friction sur face of said (ll'llI11,*ll18&llS in mesh with said pinion for automatically holding said cams y inoperative when the driven element rotates faster than the driving element, a thrust hearing between said cage and hub, means forsretarding the movement of said cage and means for adjusting said retarding means for the purposes specified.

with the part to be the part to be driven and adapted. to be i A power transmission, comprising i drive shaft, a punch secured on the said shaft, a cage, a plurality of friction blotch ls vers fulcrumed' on the said and in mesh with the said p nion, a drum connected With the part to be driven and adapted to be frictionallv engaged inthe innersurface of its rim by the said clutch levers, a illIIlSt bearing for the said cage, and a spring retarding the movement of said cage.

A power transmission, comprising a drive shaft, a pinion secured on the said shaft, a cage, a plurality of friction clutch lee vers fulcrumed on the said cage andili meets with the said pinion, a drum eohneeted whie the part to be driven and adapted to? 'bfi ffi(i' rionally engaged in the inner surface its rim by the said clutch levers, and a; thrust bearing for the said cage. i T

6. A power transmission, 7 comprisin drive shaft, a pinion secured on said sha l aaa cage, a pluralitv of friction clutch levers ful crumed on said cage and in mesh with said pinion, a drum connected with the part to be driven and adapted to be frictionaily engaged in the inner surface of its rim by the said clutch levers, and a springtending to prevent said cage from rotating with the shaft on starting the latter. l

7. A power transmission, comprising a pinion on thc driving narl',a drum connected friction clutch levers in mesh with said pinion each being provided with a double impinging surface for engagement n'iihsaid drum in either direction. i

A power transmission, comprising a driven shaft. a pinion secured en said shin t, a

a plurality of friction clutch levers fulcrumcd on said cage, in mesh with said pinion each being provided with a double impinging surface, and a drum connected with (3-. tionallv engaged at the inner surface Ur. its rim bf: impingingsurfaccs in either direction.

9. A power transmission, comprising a drive shaft, a member secured thereon, a cage around said shaft, a plurality of friction clutch levers each provided with a double impinging surface, fulcrumed on said cage and connected with the said member for the lab tcr to impart a swinging motion to said levers, and a drum on the part to be driven and adapted to be engaged in either directin at the inner surface of its rim by said impinging surface on said levers.

10. A power transmission, comprising a. drive shaft,- a member secured thereon, a cage around said shaft, a pluralitv of friction clutch levers fulcrumed on sai connected withsaid member for the latter to impart a swinging motion to the said levers, each of said friction clutch levers having double cam surface extending in up osite directions, and a drum on the part to e driven cage, and

driven and a plurality of l and adapted to be en aged at the inner surface of its rim by sair cam surfaces in either direction of rotation.

11. In combination with-a hub D of a wheel to be driven, a friction drum E carried by said hub, a drive shaft A on which said hub is freely journaled, a casin 3 containing said shaft, a cage 13 within sair drum, a pinion 8 on said shaft, a plurality of clutch levers 11 fulcrumed on said cage, in mesh with said pinion and provided with double cam surfaces 19 and 20, thrust bearings 22 and 26 between the hub and casing and said cage, a thrust spring 30, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring.

12.- A ower transmission, comprising in combination with the part to be driven, a driving part, clutching means between said parts provided with means for causing the same to automatically transmit motion between said parts in either direction and to become inoperative when the driven element rotates at a greater speed than the driving element, a brake element carried by said driving element and means for setting said brake.

13. A power transmission, comprisingin combination with the part to be driven provided with friction surface,'a driving part, a

system of friction clutch levers, carried by said driving part, and provided with means for causing them to automatically impinge against sald friction surface and transmit motion to said part to be driven in either direction, and for holding them inoperative when the driven element rotates at a greater speed'than the driving element, a brake element also adapted to impin e against said friction surface, and means or setting said brake element.

L4. A power transmission, comprising in combination with the part to be driven, a driving part, clutching means provided with a double cam to engage the part to be driven in either direction, means rotating with said driving part and connected with said clutching means for differentiating motion between sald driving and driven parts, a brake carried by said driving part, and means for setting said brake.

15. .In combination with a hub D of a wheel to be driven, a friction drum E carried by said hub, a drive shaft A on which said hub is freely journaled, a casing containing said shaft, a cage 13 within said drum, a pinion 8 on said shaft, a plurality of clutch levers 11 fulcrumed on said cage, in mesh with said pinion and provided with double cam surfaces 19 and 20;thrust bearings 22 and 26 between the hub and casing and said cage, a thrust spring 30, a brake 29 coacting with said drum and feathered on said cage, a support 34 feathered on said casing, a lever 37 fulcrumed on said, support, its work end being adapted to impinge against said brake, and means for throwing said lever to set said brake.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WALLACE E. BELT.

Witnesses:

MARY LIOHTSCIIEIDL, F. G. BRADBURY. 

